Gone only to return?
Startled by the sudden knocking, Fu Qian's first thought was of the fake female janitor.
She obviously harbored malice, to the extent that her even being human seemed unlikely.
If it really was her returning, it was likely that the visitor bore ill intent.
Violetta was also instantly on alert, quickly setting aside the food in her hand and making a hushing gesture to Fu Qian.
Fu Qian nodded, signaling her to wait there while he got up and walked toward the door.
The knocking ceased after a single instance, and this old-fashioned door had no peephole.
In the silence, Fu Qian's hand gripped the handle and silently pulled open a crack.
The next moment, he discovered the knocker was not the woman from before.
A round head in red clothing, perched atop a long cross—it was actually one of those scarecrows he had seen on the way here.